Solomon’s leader skipped White House summit to dodge lectures.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manesseh Sogavare boycotted a Pacific leaders meeting in the United States because he did not want to be “lectured.”
The Pacific leader, who has continued to build ties with Beijing since severing ties with Taiwan, missed the meeting despite being in New York for a United Nations speech last Friday.
In a video circulated by Solomon Islands media, Mr. Sogavare said it was more important for him to deal with a “stack of bills” back home.
“I’ve attended one, nothing came out of it. And I am not going to sit down there and listen to people lecture me. No way,” he said.
Mr. Sogavare called on the United States to change its strategy of engaging with Pacific leaders.
“How this meeting is arranged is you go and sit down, they give you three minutes for talk and then you go and listen to them lecture you, lecture you about how good they are.”
United States Disappointed
United States officials were pleased with the overall attendance at the summit but expressed dismay at Mr. Sogavare’s decision.
The summit, the second of its kind, included a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. Attendees included Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and Cook Islands leader Mark Brown.
“He has been in New York this week but is returning to the Solomons over the weekend,” a senior Biden administration official said.
“And I think we’re disappointed that he has chosen not to come to this very special [Pacific Island Forum or PIF] Summit between the United States and the Pacific Island nations.”
Mr. Sogavare spoke to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.
On Tuesday, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) headquartered in Beijing welcomed the Solomon Islands as a member.
The board of governors approved the application of three economies—Solomon Islands, Tanzania, and El Salvador—at a meeting in Egypt.
“The addition of El Salvador, Solomon Islands, and Tanzania strengthens the AIIB community and supports our collective mission to finance infrastructure for tomorrow,” the Bank said in a statement.
In July this year, Mr. Sogavare travelled to Beijing where he signed multiple deals with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Mr. Sogavare also attacked Australia and New Zealand for delaying millions of dollars of funding for the Solomon Island. He claimed Beijing had come to the rescue.
“Some of our donor partners who have committed to providing budget support to us this year have since changed their position and delayed their assistance for us, and we are struggling to finance the 2023 budget,” he said at the time.
“This has left this country and people in a predicament. But I am glad to announce and delighted to announce the People’s Republic of China has really stepped up to provide this budget support needed for 2023.”
How did United States officials respond to Mr. Sogavare’s decision to miss the summit?
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The Pacific Island Forum summit in the United States was hailed as an opportunity for regional leaders to discuss pressing issues and strengthen diplomatic ties. However, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s decision to boycott the meeting has raised eyebrows and sparked disappointment.
Mr. Sogavare, who has been building ties with Beijing after severing relations with Taiwan, opted to miss the summit despite being in New York for a United⁍ Nations speech. In a video message circulated by Solomon Islands media, he justified his absence by stating that he had more important matters to attend to back home.
This decision was not received well by United States officials, who expressed their disappointment at Mr. Sogavare’s refusal to attend the summit. They had hoped that the gathering would provide an opportunity for dialogue and collaboration between the United States and Pacific nations. The absence of the Solomon Islands Prime Minister was seen as a missed chance for productive engagement.
Mr. Sogavare’s criticism of the format of the meeting also indicates a larger issue. He expressed dissatisfaction with the limited time allotted for Pacific leaders to speak and the perceived lecturing tone of the discussions. He called on the United States to reconsider its approach to engaging with Pacific leaders, suggesting that a more equal and respectful dialogue is needed.
While the boycott may have disappointed some, it also highlights the complex dynamics at play in the Pacific region. The Solomon Islands’ shift towards China has raised concerns among traditional allies like the United States and Australia, who have long considered the region within their sphere of influence. This development underscores the changing geopolitical landscape and the competition for influence in the Pacific.
Moreover, Mr. Sogavare’s decision reflects the growing assertiveness of smaller Pacific nations in asserting their interests and autonomy. The move may signal a desire among these countries to assert their independence and pursue relationships that align with their national goals and priorities.
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